How Boris Johnson became Britain’s top diplomat, despite having offended much of the world

July 14, 2016 3:45 PM

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LONDON — When the news broke Wednesday night that former London mayor and pro-Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson would become Britain's next foreign secretary, his future counterparts abroad and political analysts at home were equally taken by surprise.

Just two weeks ago, Theresa May herself had joined the chorus of Johnson critics: "Boris negotiated in Europe," she said back when the Conservatives were still elbowing one another to be the party's premier. "I seem to remember last time he did a deal with the Germans, he came back with three nearly...